Method and apparatus for constructing arches.



C. BRYNOLDT.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONSTRUCTING ARCHES. APPLICATION man JUNE 30.1911.

1,293,006. Patented Feb 1,1919.

4 SHEETSSHEEI I.

ATTORN EYS.

WITNESS C. BRYNOLDT.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONSTRUCTING ARC HES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30h I917. 1,293,006. Patented Feb. 4, 1919.

4 SHEETSSHEEI' 2- C. BRYNOLDT.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CON8TRUCTING ARCHES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30.19l7. 1,293,006. Patented Feb. 4,1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET a.

INVENTOR.

"gvj...

WITNESS ATTORN 5Y5.

C. BRYNOLDT.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONSTRUCTING ARCHES. APPLICATION FILED luugzo. I917.

1,293,006. Patented Feb. 4,1919.

' 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

F156" y- Jgn' 00-0 000000 '1 I I I I 1.9 1 L1 I l 'l I ll li I WITNESS INVENTOR.

CHRISTIAN BRYNOLDT, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO BLAW STEEL CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONSTRUCTING ARCHES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 4, 1919.

Application filed June 30, 1917. Serial No. 177,958.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHRISTIAN BRYNoLDr, a subject of the King of Denmark, residing at Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Methods and Apparatus for Constructing Arches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the process of and apparatus for constructing the arches of concrete bridges and other arched structures, and has for its principal objects the provision of an improved mold form for the arch and an improved method of manipulating the forms requiring a minimum of time and expense compared with the methods and apparatus formerly used; the provision of a mold form that may be adjusted to serve as a mold for arches varying in span and contour within reasonable limits;

the provision of a means for securely supporting the forms upon the arch supports or piers so that the entire load of the form and superimposed arch is carried entirely by the pier when the form is in operation, instead of an unstable false work or piles supported independently of the piers; the. provision of a mold form that may be readily adjusted and moved into operative position with a minimum of effort, and such other objects as may hereinafter appear. Several embodiments of the invention are 1 illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

wherein- Figure 1 is a side elevation of an arched bridge in the process of construction, showing various positions of the forms and the trestle work for supporting them while they are being moved to new positions; Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the portion of the completed span of the bridge shown in Fig. 1, showing an arch form in operative position; Fig. 3 is a section through the line III-III of Fig. 2 with the trestle work shown connected to the arch form supports ready to receive the arch form after it has been collapsed and readjusted; Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of the end of the arch form showing the supporting bracket and means whereby the form may be moved laterally, vertically and longitudinally for the purpose of adjusting it into proper operativeposition; Fig. 5 is a face view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a modified form of the support for the end of the arch form.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5, the arch form comprises av pair of arch trusses 1 and 2 pivoted at their center upon the key pin 3 and supported at their ends upon a bracket mechanism to be hereinafter described.

The truss member 1 is made in two sections 4 and 5 which are pivoted together adjacent their center at 6 and the ends 7.and 8 of the lower chord members of the truss are adjustably bolted to the connecting late 9. The truss member 2 is similarly uilt up of a pair of truss members 10 and 11 pivoted together at 12. The ends 13 andl l of the lower chord members are adjustably bolted to the connecting plate 15.

The arch trusses 1 and 2 are constructed in two parts so that the trusses may be adjusted about the pivots 6 and 12 so as to make them applicable to the construction of arches of various spans and curvatures. In the average bridge the spans vary a few feet in length with a consequent variation in curvature. With the construction herein illustrated the trusses may be adjusted so that they approximate the curvature of the finished arch. It is sometimes found convenient to use trusses of different lengths and curvatures and even mount them so that their centers do not coincide with the center of the arch as in-the case illustrated in Fig. 2 where the line CC indicates the center of the arch and the line III-III indicates the joining point of the truss members.

After the trusses are adjusted so that their upper surfaces come nearest to approximating the curvature of the arch to be constructed, lining strips 15 and 16 are placed upon the top of the trusses to build up the form so that when the lagging 17 is placed upon the strips the top surface thereof will assume the required contour for forming the finished arch. In the case illustrated in Fig. 2, the truss 1 was of the roper curvature to form the arch with a lining strip 15 of even thickness but the truss 2 required a lining strip 16 tapering from its thickest point near "the end of the form to its thinnest point where'it tapered into the lining strip 15 at the center of the arch. The strip 15 continues from one end of the form to the other and over the top of the. tapered strip 16. It will be seen from the above that a great number of various sizes of arches can be constructed by the combining and adjusting of a comparatively few trusses.

One of the principal objects of this invention is to support the arch form described above upon the piers 17 and 18 which have been previously erected to receive the arch. Heretofore it has been the custom to support arch forms upon false works and piling erected adjacent the opposing faces of the'piers. Regardless of the care in erecting this false work it is certain to settle when the forms are erected thereon and after the concrete or bridge material is being applied to the form, causing cracks to develop at the point of juncture between the piers and the ends of the arch. To obviate this condition niches 19 (Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5) are formed in the opposing faces 20 of the piers providing a horizontal ledge 21 extending inward from the faces 20 for the purpose of supporting thereon steel brackets 22 which are formed with an inwardly projecting abutment 23 integral therewith. A wooden block 23 is preferably placed between the abutment 23 and the ledge 21 but the abutment may rest directly upon the ledge 21 if desirable.

The brackets 22 are supported against lateral displacement outwardly by means of anchor bolts 25 (Figs. 2, 4 and 5) which are removably secured in the pier while the pier is being erected. A nut 26 for each anchor bolt is embedded in the concrete adj acent the inner end of a tube 27 which extends outwardly from the nut, opening in the rear face 28 of the recess 19. The bolts 25 are then screwed into the nuts 26 and project through angle irons 29 securely riveted and otherwise supported upon the abutment 23.

The trusses 1 and 2 may consist of any number of trusses arranged in spaced parallel relation depending upon the width of the bridge to be constructed, and as illustrated in Fig. 3 only two trusses are shown arrange in this parallel relation. A bracket 22 is provided to support each truss member. Therefore, on the bridge illustrated in Fig. 3, two brackets 22 are required, and these are braced and held in parallel relation by means of diagonally disposed tie rods 30. The "truss members are held in parallel relation by means of diagonally disposed tie rods 31, thus forming a rigid unit to support the arch.

The entire arch form is supported upon the brackets in such manner that it may be elevated vertically, adjusted longitudinally in the direction of the axis of the bridge, or moved horizontally in a direction transverse to the axis of the bridge. Referring to Figs. 3, 4 and 5 particularly it will be seen that these adjustments may be accomplished by apparatus therein illustrated, which consists of a horizontal beam 32 built up of parallel channels 33 tied together by plates 34. This beam is supported upon the brackets 22 and isadapted to receive metal rollers 35 having flanges on their ends to keep them alined on thejbeam 32.

A somewhat narrower beam 36 built up of a pair of parallel channels 37 tied together by plates 38 is placed upon the top of the rollers 35 and this beam serves to support rails 39 which extend transversely of the beam 36.

A truck 40 is mounted upon the flanged rollers 41 which are adapted to ride on the of the bridge or in a direction transverse to.

the axis of the bridge on a horizontal plane. The ends of the truss members are connected by means of tie rods 45 provided with turn buckles 46. The tie rods are supported intermedlate their ends at intervals by vertlcal tie rods 47. These tie rods 45 serve to prevent the spreading of the truss members when they are being erected and when the load is being applied, and may also be used in adjusting the truss members when it 1s desired to make an arch having 'a different curvature. After the arch form has been put in operative position, blocks 48 are placed between the ends of the arch form and the opposing sides 20 of the piers 17 and'18. Rollers 35 are blocked by any suitable method, and it will be seen thatthe tion and may be readily collapsed and readjusted when it is desired to do so.

Fig. 6 illustrates a modified means of supporting the ends of the arch form 1' upon a bracket 22, which consists in placing a timber 32 across the brackets 22 and 'a timber 49 beneath the ends of the truss members 1 with wedge blocks 50 and 51 disposed at intervals between the timbers 32' and 49. The form is elevated by driving the wedge blocks together and longitudinal movement of the form is accomplished by turning of the turn buckle (not shown) on the tie rod 45'. T his method is considerably cheaper and simpler to apply and has been found very sat1sfactory infloperation.

After an arch has been formed and the brldge material has become permanently set the arch forms are collapsed by screwing down the jack screws 42 (Fig. 3) carried in the trucks 40. In order that the forms can be moved laterally transverse to the axis of the bridge a trestle work 52, shown in Figs. 1 and 3, is erected parallel with the bridge and spaced therefrom. The trestle is provided with rails 53 which extend throughout the length of the trestle and support a pair of trucks 54. The trucks are connected with the beams 32 by means of portable beams 55 which are detachably secured to the beams 32 at one end and the truck 54 at the other end. The top of the truck 54 is on the same level as the beams 32 and the arch form may be moved out upon the truck across the beams 55, the rollers 35 serving to provide a roller bearing for the mold form while this is being done. After the form has been moved out upon the trucks 54 a cable 56 which is attached at one end to a winding drum (not shown) is attached at its free end to one of the trucks 54. As the forms are connected and braced as a unit when the front truck is pulled, the whole form will move forward. The form is then pulled to a position for forming another arch. The portable beams 55 are put in place connecting the truck with the beams 32 after which the mold form may be moved lateraly into operative position between the piers.

Referring to Fig. 1 the arch A has been completed. At the arch B the forms are suspended for adjustment for the next arch. At C a form is shown that has been removed from the arch A and is being moved forward to form arch E, and at D the forms are shown in operative 'osition supporting the bridge material whi e it is permanently setting.

\Vhen it isl desired to adjust the forms in order that they may be used forforming an arch of a difierentcurvature or length the operation is illustrated at thearch B. Before the jack screws are lowered to collapse the form, cables 57 are suspended from the top of the fixed arch through tubes 58 set in the concrete arch and are attached to the pivots 6 and 12 which join the two sections of each truss 1 and 2, respectively; The cables are wound upon winches 58 and by manipulating the winches the section of the mold may be raised or lowered. While the forms are suspended from the cables the sections thereof may be adjusted about the pivots 6 and 12 to change the curvature of the form. ,After the adjustment has been made the form is then ready to be moved out n on the trestle work in the manner previously described or lowered into a suitable barge floating in the river beneath the span when it is not expedient to erect a trestle.

The complete operation of the forms and their method of application is as follows: When it is desired to build a bridge having a number of arches spanning spaced piers, the piers are first erected with a curved portion 59 (Figs. 1 and 2) of the arch formed thereon. The trestle work 52 is erected parallel with a row of piers and a form approximating the contour of the arch is erected upon the trucks 54 which moves longitudinally of the trestle work. The trucks 54 are then moved by means of a cablev attached to a hoisting engine or other source of power, into position opposite the space between a pair of piers. Brackets 22 are secured to the opposing faces of the piers and the beams 32 are secured thereto. The portable beams 55 are then placed so as to connect the truck 54 with the beams 32 making a rollway for the mold form.

After this partof the construction has been prepared the mold form is then rolled across the beams 55 onto the beams 32 by means of rollers 35 which are disposed between the beams 32 and the beams 36. The form is then shifted longitudinally of the bridge until it is roperly centered so that the arch may be ormed with the use of a minimum amount of lining strips 15, (Fig. 2). Vertical adjustments of the mold form are made byturning the jack screws 42 until the mold form is in the desired position.

After the lining strips have been placed so as to give proper curvature to the form, wood lagging 17 is placed across the forms. Any desirable side'forms may then be built upon the lagging and the arch subsequently formed by the pouring of concrete upon the arch form.

The arch form is allowed to remain in position beneath the arch until the bridge material has permanently set after whichv period the form may be removed and shift edto another position. If it is desired to alter the contour of the form it can first be suspended from the completed arch by means of the cables 57 and afterward collapsed and adjusted into the required shape. The form may also be adjusted when resting upon the truck m manipulating the turnbuckle 46 carried by the connectmg rod 45. When this adjustment has been made the form is rolled out across the beams 55 onto the truck 54 again and then drawn along site the space between the piers upon which a new arch is to be formed.

The portable beams 55 are again placed so as to connect the truck with the beams 32 carried on the brackets 22 and the form a ain moved into position between the piers w ere it is adjusted into proper position as previously described. The operation may be repeated throughout the entire construction of the bridge. 7

It is not necessarythat all the piers be erected before the arches are applied but the arches may be formed between the piers as they are erected and it is not necessary to have the trestle work extend throughout the entire length of the bridge but only in front of the piers that are to immediately Fle receive their arches. The trestle work may be removed from in front of piers upon which the arches have been completed and again be relaid before the piers that are ready for receiving the arches.

If a barge is used instead of a trestle for transferring the forms, the forms are first raised by means of the winches 58 and the brackets 22 removed so that the form may be lowered into a barge floating beneath the span. The barge is then moved into position between other piers and the forms raised by suitable winches mounted upon the piers. The brackets 22 are then inserted and the forms lowered into operative position.

It is obvious that many changes-may be made in the details of the construction herein illustrated and described, and the process may be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the invention is,

therefore, not limited to the specific construction and the process herein specified.

What I claim is:

l. The herein described process of erecting arched bridges which consists in erecting piers at spaced intervals, in suspending adjustable arch formsbetween the piers, in placing the bridge material upon the forms, in collapsing the forms after the material has become set, in supporting the forms from the formed arch, in adjusting the curvature of the arch forms While suspended and in then moving the readjusted form to a new position between other piers for forming another arch.

2. The herein described process of placing ,arched bridges which consists in erecting piers at spaced intervals in a row, in erecting a trestle work substantially parallel with and at one side of the row 1 of piers, in erecting a form support on the piers, in connecting the trestle with the supports, in erecting the form upon the trestle, and in moving the forms transversely of the row of piers onto the supports, and in placing bridge material upon the form.

3. The herein described method of erecting arched bridges which consists in erecting a row of spaced piers, in, erecting a trestle work parallel to the piers, in placing form supports on the piers adjacent the opposing sides thereof, in erecting a' mold form upon the trestle work and moving it between the piers upon the form supports, in placing the bridge material upon the form and leaving it there until it-sets, in then collapsing the mold form, in moving the form out from under the formed arch upon the trestle work, in moving the mold form along the trestle, inthen moving the mold form between other piers upon the mold form supports and again placing bridge material upon the form to form another arch.

1,2as,ooe

i. The combination with a pair of supports having substantially vertical opposing faces provided with ledges extending inward from the face of the supportsto provide substantially horizontal seats for brackets, of form supporting brackets seated upon the ledge and projecting beyond the faces of the supports, and a form bridging the space between the arch supports and resting upon the form supporting brackets.

5. The combination with a pair of supports having substantially vertical opposing faces provided with niches cut in the vertical opposing faces of the supports to provide a substantially fiat bracket seat, of a plurality of form supporting brackets seated in the niches and projecting beyond the face of the supports, and a form bridging the span between the arch supports and resting upon the form supporting brackets.

6. A mold form for constructing arches spanning spaced supports for the arch, comprising a trussed arch member extending from one support to the other and having a contour difierent from that of the finished arch, lagging supported by the arched member adapted to support thearch material, and tapering filling means between the lagging and the arched member adapted to position the lagging so that the upper face thereof is substantially the contour of the finished arch.

7. A mold form for constructing arches spanning spaced supports for the arch, comprising a trussed arch member extending from one arch support to the other and having a contour different from that of the finished arch, means for supporting the trussed member at its ends, lagging supported by the arched members adapted to support the arch material, filling means com prising a plurality of variably sized members disposed between the lagging and the arched member and arranged there-between to support and position the lagging so that the upper face thereof corresponds to the contour of the finished arch.

8-. A mold form for cpnstructing arches spanning spaced supports for the arch, comprising a trussed arch member extending from one arch support to the other and having a contour approximating that of the finished arch, means for supporting the trussed member at its ends, lagging supported by the arched members adapted to support the arch material, filling means between the lagging and the arched member adapted to support the lagging so that the upper face thereof is substantially the contour of the finished arch, and means whereby the arched member may be moved longitudinally between the arch supports so as to require a minimum of filling means.

9. A mold form for constructing arches spanning spaced supports for the arch, comrising a trussed arch member extending rom one arch support to the other and having a contour approximating that of the finished arch, means for supporting the trussedmember at its ends, lagging supported by the arched members adapted to support the arch material, tapering filling means between the lagging and the arched member adapted to support and position the lagging so that the upper face thereof corresponds to the contour of the finished arch, and means whereby the arched members may be oscillated vertically about either end support so as to require a minimum of filling means.

10. In combination, a pair of spaced sup ports having inwardly inclined projections at their upper ends and substantially vertical opposing faces provided with bracketseats below said pro ections, brackets positioned on said seats and projecting beyond said faces, adjustable supports on said brackets, an arch form bridging the space between the supports and terminally carried on said supports below said projections, said projections extending inwardly beyond the supports, and lagging on said arch form, end portions of said lag ing adapted to engage the under faces 0 sald inwardly inclined projections, said under faces having a contour conforming substantially. to the external contour of the end portions of the lagging.

11. A mold form for constructing arches spanning supports, comprisin a trussed arch form bridging the span %etween the supports, of brackets for each end of the form having vertical bearing faces for engaging a support, each of said brackets having an inner portion upon which one end of the form is supported and provided integrally with a bracket positionin member projecting outwardly from said $0 portin portion.

12. mold form for constructing arches spanning supports, comprising a trussed arch form bridging the span between the supports, of brackets for each end of the form having vertical bearing faces for engaging a support, each of said brackets having an inner portion upon which one end of the form is supported and provided integrally with a bracket positioning member projecting outwardly from said form supporting portion, the vertical bearing face of each bracket disposed below said projectin member, and an anchoring element for sai projecting member.

arm. BRYNOLDT.

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